This is my Family.

I loved the retreat this weekend. It was exactly what I needed. So spirit-filled. I genuinely felt that I belonged to a family- one that I'm extremely proud of, that I would do anything for. Thinking about community and deeply knowing the people around me has really taken hold of my heart and God is showing me that it's definitely the next step closer to his heart.

Seeing Candice and two out of six girls that live in her house at ACU, Meredith and Hannah, has given me a practical example of really experiencing sisterhood. Those girls know each other. They can see what is really inside their girls, and when the world spits them out, they still have each other. These girls can encourage one another so intimately because they notice how the others see the world. There are so many girls, my age, going through the same things that I am in my youth group that need that. I want to know these girls. I want them to know me. I need this. Really accepting this sisterhood that God has called me has made me think of things so abundantly, and I can't wait to see what he does with these girls that He has called me to love!

"Heal my heart and make it clean,

Open up my eyes to the things unseen,

Show me how to love like you have loved me.

Break my heart for what breaks Yours,

Everything I am for Your Kingdom come,

As I walk from earth into eternity."

Hosanna by Hillsong United

Candy!

So cute.

Times

I hear You say,
"My love is over. It's underneath.
It's inside. It's in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.
The times that you question, 'Is this for real?'
The times you're broken.
The times that you mend.
The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.
It's inside, it's in between.
These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.
The times you're hurting.The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I'm there through your heartache.
I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.
I don't care where you fall, where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends."